Open the main RDR gate, Gage Irving (emergency exit) gate and other gates leading to the fire.

Station people at intersections to help fire crews find the fire; responders may not be from local stations.

If you are evacuating, use Gage Irving Road out of Running Deer so firefighters can move equipment freely.

If overtaken by fire, stay in the vehicle as long as possible to save oxygen and protect yourself from heat.

“Sheltering in place”, staying in your home, may be the best option if your house is of firesafe construction and has 100’ of clearance. Still, have your “go box” ready. It should contain medications, insurance policies, important account numbers and passwords, irreplaceable items like picture albums, etc. Better yet, use a safe deposit box. More info is on websites.

WHEN RESPONDING TO A FIRE… SAFETY FIRST!

Always wear sturdy leather shoes, long cotton pants and shirt. It is suggested that you wear a heavy cotton jacket and leather gloves and bring a dry bandanna to protect your face.

Water Trailer locations are indicated on the Emergency Calling List. Conserve water: fight lighter fuels and work the perimeter. Keep fire away from heavier fuels. Don’t soak the area; spray at the base of the flames.

When you arrive at the scene:

Park away from the fire, not in grass or brush or uphill from the fire. Park so that you can escape in your vehicle rapidly.

Leave plenty of room for fire equipment to get by. Treat all power lines as dangerous.

Plan an escape route to a safe area (preferably downhill) and rethink your escape route frequently.

Be aware: stop often to look up, down and around. Tree branches or power lines may fall. Winds may shift dangerously or the fire may flare up again or jump to a new area. Bad terrain or embers underfoot may endanger you. Communicate with other firefighters. Pay attention to your own fatigue.

Priority #1 is safety. Protect or aid people first. Try to avoid being downwind or uphill from a fire.

Priority #2 is keeping the fire from spreading. Attack the perimeter. Keep fire out of heavier fuels.

If the fire is spreading slowly in light fuel you can cut a line at the edge of the fire by digging material toward the fire. Try to keep one foot in the black, burned-out area. Don’t get downwind or uphill from a fire.

If the fire is in heavy fuel it is best to cut a fire line farther away, in lighter fuel. Dig material away from the fire; work well back from the fire to avoid moving burning material into un-burned areas.

In either case dig down to mineral soil if possible. See “The Fire-line Handbook”, below, for more info.

Priority #3 is property. Burning vehicles and structures are extremely dangerous. Explosions, falling power lines and collapsing walls and chimneys are possible. It is easy to be trapped fighting structure fires. Be especially careful and keep escape routes in mind. Try to protect the area of origin of the fire so the fire department can determine how the fire started. It may be a crime scene.

When the fire department arrives, follow their orders. They are now in charge of the scene. Do as they tell you. Remember: Cal Fire’s #1 priority is human safety. If you are hurt you will take firefighters away from the fire. If you are prepared and follow the guidelines set above, your chance of being injured is decreased and this will allow Cal Fire to do their job of fighting the fire.